[b1gm3]

I didn't know where this should go exactly, so move it if my placement is incorrect. Thank you various moderators.

When October finally arrives I plan to ship out to university. I'm sure it's fairly normal to worry about meeting people and getting along with them and such, I know this little. I've not been very good at meeting people until the last couple years, and whilst I'm improving I worry in particular that it won't be enough to help people overcome the initial impression they'll get of me.

Whilst it is difficult to say objectively, I think I'm quite a strange person. I'm fairly nerdy, I have relatively obscure/dull hobbies and a rather obvious love of metal. My concern is that people will forego getting to know me in favour of other more normal looking and sounding people.

To the various folks out there in a similar sort of situation, have you any comments or advice to give? And if not, could any of you more normal types out there explain to me how I can make it easier for you to approach, get to know me?

I thank you in advance, your feedback is greatly appreciated.

[aspirinpharmacist]

If I can find a group of people just like you in a relatively small school like mine, believe me, you'll find plenty of people who'd like to hang out with you at a university of thousands. What exactly are these obscure/dull hobbies? I'll bet they're not that dull. Even if they are, find a society that relates to them. Bam, you've instantly got people with something in common with you, which is always a bonus. As for being approachable, it's all about the smile. Look people in the eye, smile, say hello. Watch how much more talkative they are when you openly acknowledge them. Of course, some people are miserable but you've got to feel sorry for them.

[cfizzle]

I know this isn't too detailed or too related... But I went to uni being a geeky little clarinet player with a passion for Marilyn Manson, and loads of heavy rock bands (not as gayish as Manson but bands that the average person might not know), and I made tonnes of 'normal' friends! As long as you socialise (especially at freshers) and don't play your music too loud everyone's cool

[b1gm3]

i-sure-hope-so, you are correct about my tendency to judge. I don't mean to as such, but especially when I'm nervous, my thoughts tend to align against people I've guessed dislike me out of nowhere. It's probably one of my worse habits.

Freshers' Week worries me as clubbing doesn't sound as if I will enjoy it, and from what I gather it's a big part of Freshers'. Will I have to do that, or will there be other events also?

[cfizzle]

I know that the freshers scene might not appeal to you but trust me - it's the foundation of most University friendships - especially within halls. If you don't like the music, try your best to have a good few drinks and just go with it! In fact, in our Union they have two clubs - one small one that does 'alternative nights' like rock nights, and I know they run it during freshers so if yours have that you might be good for meeting people there (with a bit of Dutch courage )

[ALazyThracian]

Thank god there is some metal heads on here.

Right i'm not in uni (Yet) but i'm studying at college on a level 3 course. Right i LOVE metal and anything metal related i have piercings and wear what others deem 'strange' clothing and just like you i'm a nerd and i love dull stuff but with all that being said the majority of my friends in and outside of college are all normal people and none of them are 'metal'. But i went out one night to a metal&Rock bar and made so many friends and made friends from friends. All i'm saying dude don't worry you'll find people who share slimier interests in everything.

Good luck and Rock On!!

[metalthrashin'mad]

Dude Metal is a ****ing massive genre, with millions of fans all over the world. Even death and black metal artists have sold millions of albums, and pretty much everyone has heard of cannibal corpse, slayer and napalm death. You WILL find other people who like that stuff. I met someone with a cradle of filth tattoo by chance at uni, and werecommend each other stuff, iI like Windir because of him as an example.

[concubine]

Almost every university will have a rock and/or metal society.

Most cities and larger towns have rock and/or 'metal' clubs and bars, or at least designated nights.

If you're willing to give both of these things a chance it's usually possible to sift through all the metalcore and Alestorm loving faggots and find the odd person with an interest in decent music.






I am kinda perplexed by what you mean when saying 'strange clothing'. It's probably quite obvious to most people, what with the beard and long hair, that like certain types of music, but I've never thought of decent, regular sized jeans, non-ridiculous boots and leather jackets as 'strange', given that these are all things that 'normal' people wear. >_>

[rodcarter]

Just learn Wonderwall for the drunken walks home and you'll be fine. Metal it up in your head if you want - like Metallica did

[Converse Rocker]

Your uni may even have a rock/metal society, and you could find people with similar music tastes there.

[Manitude]

So long as you don't shut yourself away and listen to metal instead of being social people will not care.